US20110270516A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20110270516A1
Application number: US12/770,381
Authority: US
Inventors: Johannes P. Kopf; Michael F. Cohen
Original assignee: Microsoft Corp
Current assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
Priority date: 2010-04-29
Filing date: 2010-04-29
Publication date: 2011-11-03
Also published as: US8489331B2

Abstract

A user interface is presented via which user inputs can be received and maps can be displayed. A user selection of a destination and a user specification of a region of interest on a map are received. The region of interest surrounds the destination on the map. In response to receiving the user specification of the region of interest, a destination map is displayed via the user interface. The destination map includes both the destination and the region of interest, and a layout of one or more roads that include one or more routes to the destination at multiple different scales.

Description

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

Computer generated maps oftentimes display a portion of the earth and/or a road network laid out to scale. Users can sometimes change this scale, but any map resulting from such a change is still displayed in a single scale. Such maps can be problematic for users because they oftentimes provide too much detail in certain areas and/or insufficient detail in other areas.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In accordance with one or more aspects, a user selection of a destination is received via a user interface. Additionally, a user specification of a region of interest on a map is received. The region of interest surrounds the destination on the map. In response to receiving the user specification of the region of interest, a destination map is displayed via the user interface. The destination map includes both the destination and the region of interest, and a layout of one or more roads that include one or more routes to the destination at multiple different scales.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features.

FIG. 1 illustrates an system implementing the destination maps user interface in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates an destination map in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an process for using a destination maps user interface in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates an user interface supporting user selection of a destination in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates an user interface supporting user specification of a region of interest in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates an user interface supporting a user indication of a map title in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIGS. 7,8,9, and10 illustrate user interfaces supporting user selection of a destination map style in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates an computing device that can be configured to implement the destination maps user interface in accordance with one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A destination maps user interface is discussed herein. A user interface is presented to a user, allowing the user to identify various parameters for a destination map. The destination map is a map that includes a layout of one or more roads that include one or more routes to a destination at multiple different scales. The user interface allows the user to input a selection of a destination, as well as specify a region of interest. The region of interest indicates the area around the selected destination that is to be included in the destination map. The user interface also allows the user to input a title for the map, and indicate one or more different styles to be used to display the map. The user interface can also allow the user to save or share the map for subsequent retrieval by the user or by others.

FIG. 1 illustrates ansystem100 implementing the destination maps user interface in accordance with one or more embodiments.System100 includes auser interface module102 and a destinationmap generation module104.User interface module102 and destinationmap generation module104 can be implemented in a variety of different types of computing devices, such as a desktop computer, a server computer, a mobile station, an entertainment appliance, a set-top box communicatively coupled to a display device, a television, a cellular or other wireless phone, a handheld or notepad computer, an audio and/or video playback device, a game console, an automotive computer, and so forth.User interface module102 and destinationmap generation module104 can be implemented by the same computing device. Alternatively,user interface module102 and destinationmap generation module104 can be implemented by different computing devices, and can be implemented by the same or different types of computing devices. For example,user interface module102 can be implemented on a user's computing device, and destinationmap generation module104 can be implemented on a server device that the user's computing device accesses.

In situations whereuser interface module102 and destinationmap generation module104 are implemented by different computing devices, the different computing devices can communicate with one another. Such communication can be via a direct connection (e.g., a wired or wireless connection) or via a variety of different networks, including the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a public telephone network, an intranet, other public and/or proprietary networks, combinations thereof, and so forth.

User interface module

102 displays or otherwise presents a user interface to a user ofsystem100, displaying information to the user and receiving user input106 from the user. User input106 can be received in a variety of different manners, such as alphanumeric inputs received via a keyboard or touchpad, verbal inputs received via a microphone, dragging or directional inputs received via a cursor control device or motions (e.g., finger or stylus) on a touchpad or touchscreen, activation of a button by pressing or clicking on the button, and so forth. User input106 identifies various parameters for a destination map, including both a destination and a region of interest for the destination map as discussed in more detail below.

User interface module

102 provides user input106 to destinationmap generation module104. Destinationmap generation module104 generates a destination map based on user input106, and returns the generated destination map touser interface module102. Alternatively, destinationmap generation module104 can store the destination map at a particular location (e.g., on a particular device) and provide an indication touser interface module102 of that particular location. This indication can be, for example, a link or address of the particular location where the destination map is stored, such as a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of the particular location.

In one or more embodiments,user interface module102 receives the destination map from destinationmap generation module104 and displays the destination map asdestination map108 to the user ofsystem100. User input106 can also include a user selection of one of multiple different map styles in which the destination map is to be displayed. In response to such a user selection,user interface module102 displaysdestination map108 in the selected map style.

The destination map generated by destinationmap generation module104 is a map that includes both a destination and a region of interest specified by the user as user inputs106. The destination map includes a layout of one or more roads that include one or more routes to the destination. The layout of roads typically includes a hierarchy of roads, which includes roads of different sizes and/or importance (such as highways, major arterials, two-lane roads, and so forth). The destination map includes multiple different scales, with portions of the destination map that are closer to the destination being displayed with a smaller scale than portions of the destination map that are further from the destination. The smaller the scale of a portion of the destination map, the more detail that is displayed in that portion of the destination map. Thus, the destination map includes more detail (e.g., more smaller roads and/or roads of lesser importance) closer to the destination than further away from the destination.

The destination map can be generated in a variety of different manners. In one or more embodiments, the destination map is generated using techniques discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11,420,550, to Bargeron et al., titled “Schematic Destination Maps”. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/420,550 is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates andestination map200 in accordance with one or more embodiments.Destination map200 is generated based at least in part on the techniques discussed herein. In thedestination map200, the destination is marked by an “X”. A hierarchy of roads is displayed, including highways (e.g., Interstate 5), and smaller roads (e.g. Mercer St.).Destination map200 includes more detail (e.g., displays smaller roads and names of smaller roads) close to the destination, but less detail (e.g., no information regarding smaller roads) further from the destination.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating anprocess300 for using a destination maps user interface in accordance with one or more embodiments.Process300 is carried out by a user interface module, such asuser interface module102 ofFIG. 1, and can be implemented in software, firmware, hardware, or combinations thereof.Process300 is shown as a set of acts and is not limited to the order shown for performing the operations of the various acts.Process300 is an example process for using a destination maps user interface; additional discussions of using a destination maps user interface are included herein with reference to different figures.

Inprocess300, a user selection of a destination is received (act302). The user selection of a destination can be received in a variety of different manners. In one or more embodiments, the user selection of a destination is a user input of a particular description of the destination, such as a street address, global positioning system (GPS) coordinates, and so forth. If multiple destinations correspond to the user input (for example, a street address is input without a city or zip code), the user can be prompted to select one of the multiple destinations that correspond to the user input. Alternatively, the user can be prompted to take different actions, such as to input additional information. In other embodiments, the user selection of a destination is a user input dragging and dropping an icon (such as a flag or a star) to a particular location on a map. The particular location where the icon is dropped is the destination selected by the user.

FIG. 4 illustrates anuser interface400 supporting user selection of a destination in accordance with one or more embodiments. InFIG. 4, amap402 is displayed. It should be noted thatmap402 is typically not (but alternatively could be) a destination map. The user can optionally scroll through map402 (scrolling north, south, east, and/or west) by activatingdirectional controls404. The user can also optionally zoom in or zoom outmap402 using zoom controls406 (e.g., activating the “−” button to zoom out and activating the “+” button to zoom in). Zooming in results in a finer scale and more detail, while zooming out results in a broader scale and less detail. Alternatively, the user can scroll throughmap402 or zoom in or out map402 via different user inputs.

A user can select a destination by dragging and droppingflag408 on a particular location ofmap402. After droppingflag408, the user can optionally moveflag408 until he or she is satisfied with the location at which he or she has droppedflag408. When the user is satisfied with the location at which he or she has droppedflag408, the user can activate “continue”button410. In response to activation of “continue”button410, the location offlag408 is used as the user selected destination.

An address or other coordinates (e.g., GPS coordinates) specifying the location whereflag408 is dropped can optionally be identified. Such an address or other coordinates can be determined by the user interface module, or alternatively by another component or module (such as destinationmap generation module104 ofFIG. 1).

Alternatively, rather than dragging and droppingflag408, a user can input a description (e.g., a street address, GPS coordinates, etc.) of a destination by entering the description indata entry box412. When the user has finished entering the description, the user can activatesearch button414, causing the destination described by the user to be displayed onmap402. An icon, such asflag408, can be displayed at the user described destination onmap402. The user can optionally enter different descriptions indata entry box412 and activatesearch button414 multiple times until he or she is satisfied with the description he or she has entered indata entry box412. When the user is satisfied with the description that he or she has entered indata entry box412, the user can activate “continue”button410. In response to activation of “continue”button410, the description entered indata entry box412 is used as the user selected destination.

Returning toFIG. 3, a map including the destination is displayed (act304). This map can be displayed while the user selection is made, such as in situations where a flag is dragged and dropped to a location on the map. Alternatively, this map can be displayed in response to the user selection being made, such as in situations where the user enters a description (e.g., a street address, GPS coordinates, etc.) of a destination in a data entry box.

A user specification of a region of interest surrounding the destination on the map displayed inact304 is received (act306). In one or more embodiments the region of interest is a rectangular region of interest, although alternatively the region of interest can be of other geometric shapes. A user can specify the region of interest in a variety of different manners, such as dragging one or more edges of a rectangle displayed on the map, using a scroll bar or wheel to increase or decrease the size of a rectangle displayed on the map, dragging and dropping a particular geometric shape of a particular size on the map, and so forth.

FIG. 5 illustrates anuser interface500 supporting user specification of a region of interest in accordance with one or more embodiments. InFIG. 5, amap502 is displayed. It should be noted thatmap502 is typically not (but alternatively could be) a destination map. Arectangle504 is displayed surrounding the destination (user selection of which was received inact302 ofFIG. 2). The destination is indicated byflag506, although the destination can alternatively be called out in other manners. The initial size ofrectangle504 can be determined in different manners, such as being preconfigured in or otherwise accessed by the user interface module, being determined randomly, being determined according to other rules or criteria, and so forth.

One or more user inputs can also be received to adjust the size ofrectangle504. In one or more embodiments,

directional icons

508,510,512, and514 are displayed on the edges ofrectangle504. The user can drag a particular edge ofrectangle504 by selecting and dragging the

directional icon

508,510,512, and514 on that particular edge. The user can drag each edge inward (towards the destination), or outward (away from the destination) by the same or different amounts. In one or more embodiments the user interface module imposes a size constraint on the region of interest, in which case the edges can be dragged inward to an inner threshold and/or outward to an outer threshold.

The user can optionally drag different edges ofrectangle504 multiple times until he or she is satisfied with the size ofrectangle504. When the user is satisfied with the size ofrectangle504, the user can activate “continue”button516 to confirm thatrectangle504 is the region of interest. In response to activation of “continue”button516,rectangle504 is used as the user specification of the region of interest. Alternatively, the user can return to change the destination by selecting “go back”button518. In response to activation of “go back”button518, a new user selection of a destination can be received (e.g.,process300 ofFIG. 3 returns to act302).

Returning toFIG. 3, a user indication of a title for the destination map is received (act308). In one or more embodiments, the user interface module defaults to a map title that is a description of the destination (e.g., a street address, GPS coordinates, etc.). The user can accept this default map title, or alternatively enter his or her own map title.

FIG. 6 illustrates anuser interface600 supporting a user indication of a map title in accordance with one or more embodiments. InFIG. 6, amap602 is displayed. It should be noted thatmap602 is typically not (but alternatively could be) a destination map.Map602 includes the portion ofmap502 ofFIG. 5 that is within the region of interest specified by the user. Other portions ofmap502 falling outside of the region of interest are not displayed inmap602. The destination is indicated byflag604, although the destination can alternatively be called out in other manners.

A default map title can be displayed indata entry box606, and the user can change the default map title by inputting the map title he or she desires indata entry box606. The user can enter different map titles until he or she is satisfied with the map title. When the user is satisfied with the map title he or she has entered, or if the user is satisfied with the default map title, the user can activate “continue”button608. In response to activation of “continue”button608, the map title entered indata entry box606 is used as the user indicated map title. Alternatively, the user can return to change the region of interest by selecting “go back”button610. In response to activation of “go back”button610, a new user specification of a region of interest can be received (e.g.,process300 ofFIG. 3 returns to act306).

Returning toFIG. 3, a destination map is obtained (act310) from a destination map generation module. The destination map is obtained in response to the user specification of a region of interest received inact306 and/or a user indication of a map title received inact308. The user interface module provides the destination, region of interest, and map title to the destination map generation module, which generates the destination map and returns the map (or an indication of where the map is stored) to the user interface module. The destination map generation module generates the destination map based at least in part on the destination and the region of interest provided by the user interface module. Additionally, a user selection of a destination map style is received (act312). Different map styles can be used that display the destination map in different manners, such as displaying the destination map in a traditional road map style, in a hand-drawn sketch style, and so forth. The destination map is displayed using the user selected destination map style (act314).

Acts

312 and314 can optionally be repeated multiple times, causing the destination map to be displayed using different destination map styles. In one or more embodiments, the destination map is displayed having the same aspect ratio as the region of interest specified inact306.

In one or more embodiments, the destination map is not displayed until a destination map style is selected. In other embodiments, the destination map is displayed using a default destination map style which can be subsequently changed by the user selecting a different destination map style. The destination map is generated after user specification of the region of interest (and/or the user indication of the map title), and thus is displayed in response to user specification of the region of interest (and/or the user indication of the map title).

FIGS. 7,8,9, and10 illustrate user interfaces supporting user selection of a destination map style in accordance with one or more embodiments. The user interfaces inFIGS. 7,8,9, and10 are the same, except for the destination map style used to display the destination map.

InFIG. 7, auser interface700 including adestination map702 is displayed.Map702 is a destination map generated based on the portion ofmap502 ofFIG. 5 that is within the region of interest specified by the user. The destination is indicated by “X”704, although the destination can alternatively be called out in other manners.

Different destination map styles can be selected by the user activating different ones of destination

map style buttons

706,708,710, and712. In response to user activation of one of

buttons

706,708,710, and712,destination map702 is displayed using the destination map style corresponding to the user activated button. In one or more embodiments an indication of the destination map style currently being used to displaydestination map702 is indicated by altering the appearance of the corresponding destination

map style button

706,708,710, and712. For example, if the destination map style currently being used to displaydestination map702 corresponds to destinationmap style button706, thenbutton706 can be displayed with a different outline, with different coloring, with animation, and so forth.

Additionally, the user can request to save orprint destination map702 by activating “save/print”button714, orshare destination map702 by activating “share”button716. In response to user activation of “save/print”button714, the user interface modulesaves destination map702 to a particular storage location for subsequent retrieval by the user and/orprints destination map702 to a particular printer. One or more additional windows or dialog boxes can be displayed to the user to allow the user to select the storage location wheredestination map702 is to be stored and/or to select the printer to whichdestination map702 is to be sent for printing. Alternatively, the user interface module can be configured with or otherwise have access to a default store location wheredestination map702 is stored and/or a default printer to whichdestination map702 is sent for printing.

In response to user activation of “share”button716, the user interface moduleshares destination map702 with other users. This sharing can take different forms, such as displaying a link (e.g., a URL) to a location wheredestination map702 is stored so that the user can copy the link and provide the link to another component or module. This sharing can take other forms also, such as embedding or copyingdestination map702 in or to a web page or web blog,publishing destination map702 on a social networking site, sending an email or text message with a link (e.g., a URL) to a location wheredestination map702 is stored, and so forth. One or more additional windows or dialog boxes can be displayed to the user to allow the user to select the manner in whichdestination map702 is to be shared. Alternatively, the user interface module can be configured with or otherwise have access to a default manner in whichdestination map702 is to be shared.

Although not illustrated inFIG. 7, it is to be appreciated that the title of the destination map (an indication of which was received inact308 ofFIG. 3) can be displayed withdestination map702. This title can be displayed in different manners, such as displayed as part ofdestination map702, displayed abovedestination map702, and so forth.

In one or more embodiments, the different destination map styles include a hand-drawn sketch style, one or more road map styles, and a treasure map style.Destination map702 is an of a road map style.

InFIG. 8, auser interface800 includes adestination map802 that is an of another road map style. The road map style ofdestination map802 displays roads as wider and road names within the roads, whereas the road map style ofdestination map702 displays roads as narrower and road names next to the roads.

InFIG. 9, auser interface900 includes adestination map902 that is an of a hand-drawn sketch style. In the hand-drawn sketch style, roads are displayed to simulate the lines for the roads having been drawn by hand. A road is drawn using more lines (also referred to as being overdrawn) to indicate a larger or more important road. Larger and/or more important roads are drawn using more lines, whereas smaller and/or less important roads are drawn using fewer lines. The background ofdestination map902 can also be changed to simulate a piece of paper (optionally with creases, stains, extraneous marks, and so forth).

InFIG. 10, auser interface1000 includes adestination map1002 that is an of a treasure map style. In the treasure map style, roads are displayed to simulate the lines for the roads having been drawn by hand, analogous to the hand-drawn sketch style ofdestination map902 ofFIG. 9. The background ofdestination map1002 is changed to simulate the color and look of an old treasure map, such as by giving the background an aged look (e.g., a yellow or orange shade), adding creases or stains to the background, displaying torn or burned edges or corners of the destination map, and so forth.

Returning toFIG. 3, it should be noted that one or more acts ofprocess300 need not be performed. For example, the destination map may not include a title, in which case no indication of the map title need be received inact308. By way of another example, a destination map may be saved, printed, and/or shared without being displayed, in which case act314 need not be performed.

Additionally, it should be noted that various additional user inputs can be received by the user interface module and used with the techniques discussed herein. In one or more embodiments, a user input can be received indicating that particular landmarks, particular types of buildings or landmarks, particular location names, and so forth be included in the destination map. In response to such a user input being received, the indicated items are included in the destination map by the destination map generation module. For example, a user input can be received indicating that a particular building (e.g., at a particular street address) be included in the destination map. By way of another example, a user input can be received indicating that city names and/or public parks that are within the user specified region of interest be included in the destination map.

In other embodiments, a user input can be received indicating that a particular one or more roads be included in (or alternatively excluded from) the destination map and/or be given preferential treatment in generating the destination map. In response to such a user input being received, the destination map generation module generates a destination map that includes (or alternatively excludes) the particular one or more roads, or favors including the particular one or more roads.

FIG. 11 illustrates ancomputing device1100 that can be configured to implement the destination maps user interface in accordance with one or more embodiments.Computing device1100 can implement, for example,user interface module102 and/or destinationmap generation module104 ofFIG. 1.

Computing device

1100 includes one or more processors orprocessing units1102, one or more computerreadable media1104 which can include one or more memory and/orstorage components1106, one or more input/output (I/O)devices1108, and abus1110 that allows the various components and devices to communicate with one another. Computerreadable media1104 and/or one or more I/O devices1108 can be included as part of, or alternatively may be coupled to,computing device1100.Bus1110 represents one or more of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, a processor or local bus, and so forth using a variety of different bus architectures.Bus1110 can include wired and/or wireless buses.

Memory/storage component1106 represents one or more computer storage media.Component1106 can include volatile media (such as random access memory (RAM)) and/or nonvolatile media (such as read only memory (ROM), Flash memory, optical disks, magnetic disks, and so forth).Component1106 can include fixed media (e.g., RAM, ROM, a fixed hard drive, etc.) as well as removable media (e.g., a Flash memory drive, a removable hard drive, an optical disk, and so forth).

The techniques discussed herein can be implemented in software, with instructions being executed by one ormore processing units1102. It is to be appreciated that different instructions can be stored in different components ofcomputing device1100, such as in aprocessing unit1102, in various cache memories of aprocessing unit1102, in other cache memories of device1100 (not shown), on other computer readable media, and so forth. Additionally, it is to be appreciated that the location where instructions are stored incomputing device1100 can change over time.

One or more input/output devices1108 allow a user to enter commands and information tocomputing device1100, and also allows information to be presented to the user and/or other components or devices. Examples of input devices include a keyboard, a cursor control device (e.g., a mouse), a microphone, a scanner, and so forth. Examples of output devices include a display device (e.g., a monitor or projector), speakers, a printer, a network card, and so forth.

Various techniques may be described herein in the general context of software or program modules. Generally, software includes routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and so forth that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. An implementation of these modules and techniques may be stored on or transmitted across some form of computer readable media. Computer readable media can be any available medium or media that can be accessed by a computing device. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise “computer storage media” and “communications media.”

“Computer storage media” include volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by a computer.

“Communication media” typically embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as carrier wave or other transport mechanism. Communication media also include any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above are also included within the scope of computer readable media.

Generally, any of the functions or techniques described herein can be implemented using software, firmware, hardware (e.g., fixed logic circuitry), manual processing, or a combination of these implementations. The terms “module” and “component” as used herein generally represent software, firmware, hardware, or combinations thereof. In the case of a software implementation, the module or component represents program code that performs specified tasks when executed on a processor (e.g., CPU or CPUs). The program code can be stored in one or more computer readable memory devices, further description of which may be found with reference toFIG. 11. The features of the destination maps user interface techniques described herein are platform-independent, meaning that the techniques can be implemented on a variety of commercial computing platforms having a variety of processors.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A method implemented at a computing device, the method comprising:

receiving a user selection of a destination;

displaying a map including the destination;

receiving a user specification of a region of interest surrounding the destination on the map; and

displaying, in response to receiving the user specification of the region of interest, a destination map that includes both the destination and the region of interest, the destination map including a layout of one or more roads that include one or more routes to the destination at multiple different scales.

2. A method as recited inclaim 1, further comprising receiving a user indication of a map title for the destination map, and wherein the displaying further comprises displaying the destination map with the map title.

3. A method as recited inclaim 1, further comprising receiving a user selection of a map style for the destination map, and wherein the displaying further comprises displaying the destination map in the selected map style.

4. A method as recited inclaim 3, wherein the selected map style is one of multiple map styles that include a road map style, a hand-drawn sketch style, and a treasure map style.

5. A method as recited inclaim 1, further comprising receiving a user request to save the destination map, and in response to the user request saving the destination map to a storage location.

6. A method as recited inclaim 1, further comprising receiving a user request to share the destination map, and in response to the user request displaying a link to a location where the destination map is stored.

7. A method as recited inclaim 1, wherein receiving a user selection of a destination comprises receiving a user input of a street address.

8. A method as recited inclaim 1, wherein receiving a user selection of a destination comprises receiving a user input dragging and dropping a flag at the destination on the map.

9. A method as recited inclaim 1, wherein receiving a user specification of a region of interest comprises receiving a user specification of a rectangle within which the destination is located.

10. A method as recited inclaim 1, wherein receiving a user specification of a region of interest comprises:

displaying a rectangle around the destination on the map;

receiving one or more user inputs dragging one or more edges of the rectangle to different locations on the map; and

receiving a user input confirming that the rectangle is the region of interest.

11. One or more computer storage media having stored thereon multiple instructions that implement a user interface, wherein the multiple instructions when executed by one or more processors of a computing device cause the one or more processors to:

receive, via the user interface, a user selection of a destination;

receive, via the user interface, a user specification of a region of interest on a map surrounding the destination on the map; and

display, via the user interface and in response to receiving the user specification of the region of interest, a destination map that includes both the destination and the region of interest, the destination map including a layout of one or more roads that include one or more routes to the destination at multiple different scales.

12. One or more computer storage media as recited inclaim 11, wherein the multiple instructions further cause the one or more processors to receive, via the user interface, a user indication of a map title for the destination map, and wherein to display the destination map is to display the destination map with the map title.

13. One or more computer storage media as recited inclaim 11, wherein the multiple instructions further cause the one or more processors to receive, via the user interface, a user selection of a map style for the destination map, and wherein to display the destination map is to display the destination map in the selected map style.

14. One or more computer storage media as recited inclaim 11, wherein the multiple instructions further cause the one or more processors to receive a user request to save the destination map, and in response to the user request save the destination map to a storage location.

15. One or more computer storage media as recited inclaim 11, wherein the multiple instructions further cause the one or more processors to receive a user request to share the destination map, and in response to the user request display a link to a location where the destination map is stored.

16. One or more computer storage media as recited inclaim 11, wherein to receive a user selection of a destination is to receive a user input of a street address.

17. One or more computer storage media as recited inclaim 11, wherein to receive a user selection of a destination is to receive a user input dragging and dropping a flag at the destination on the map.

18. One or more computer storage media as recited inclaim 11, wherein to receive a user specification of a region of interest is to receive a user specification of a rectangle within which the destination is located.

19. One or more computer storage media as recited inclaim 11, wherein to receive a user specification of a region of interest is to:

display a rectangle around the destination on the map;

receive one or more user inputs dragging one or more edges of the rectangle to different locations on the map; and

receive a user input confirming that the rectangle is the region of interest.

20. A method implemented at a computing device, the method comprising:

receiving, as a user selection of a destination, a user input dragging and dropping a flag on a map at the destination;

receiving a user specification of a region of interest surrounding the destination on the map, wherein receiving the user specification comprises:

displaying a rectangle around the destination on the map;

receiving one or more user inputs dragging one or more edges of the rectangle to different locations;

receiving, after receiving the one or more user inputs dragging one or more edges of the rectangle, a user input confirming that the rectangle is a region of interest;

receiving a user indication of a map title;

receiving a user selection of one of multiple map styles, wherein the multiple map styles include a road map style and a hand-drawn sketch style; and

displaying, in response to receiving the user selection of one of the multiple map styles, a destination map in the user selected map style, the destination map including the map title, the destination, the region of interest, and a layout of one or more roads including one or more routes to the destination at multiple different scales.